A post I was hoping to not have to make (GM blocks L3 engine warranty repair)

[terry_b]

But where does that sort of mentality lead? Warranty will be denied unless I service the car at the dealership each and every time? Only GM manufactured replacement parts and fluids+air/oil filters purchased at a dealer?

They've already reduced their coverage period, on a less proven engine/powertrain no less. What does that say about long term ownership of the 6th gen? Especially considering the known issues specific to direct injection.

Hell, at this point, why not just drop $10k off the MSRP and start including a checkbox for warranty coverage? Sell it like an additional option and include a binding contract regarding modification. Win-win - the people who mod right away and don't care about the warranty anyway get into the car cheaper, and those of us who depend on the car for transportation get the peace of mind we need.

I love my car... my brand loyalty, however, is a bit shaken at this point. I sincerely doubt if I will move onto 6th gen.

[Superman09]

I have heard a final resolution from GM.
However, first I want to say a huge thank you to everyone in here, I was simply hoping to air my story and see what happened. I never dreamed it would turn into what it did. The idea of a petition never crossed my mind, and I am very grateful for Mr Stacy and the things he did for me in this. I am grateful for everyone who signed the petition, and those that didn’t sign, but offered words of encouragement or advice, and the ones who sent me PM’s to encourage me. As anyone can imagine this whole situation felt like a kick in the nuts, and everyone here has really helped me pull through it.

GM’s final verdict is that my entire powertrain warranty will remain blocked, and they will not fix my car. The catch can may or may not have been the causes of the failure, but according to the owner’s manual any modification can void your warranty. I knew going in to this, like everyone, else that what I was doing could void the warranty, but I listened to the stories online of “I have X, Y, and Z mods and I got warrantied”. I took a calculated risk that adding the catch can would not void my warranty, and I was wrong.

Now before everyone goes and blames GM on this please understand something. I also greatly believe that your relationship with your dealer, as well as the knowledge of the dealer plays a HUGE part in what does and/or doesn’t get covered. Like several have mentioned I had my car taken to a GMC Cadillac dealer who may not have had much experience with the Camaro and the LS3. That lack of experience and knowledge about the car may have led them to believe my car was more modified than it was. Your experience may vary at your dealership. Your dealer may have more knowledge, and may know you better, and may cover your car with a catch can and a cold air intake. However GM’s stance is that modifications void your warranty, and I understand and agree with that.

GM will not be fixing my car, and I understand and agree with them on why they won’t. If they fix mine because I only have a cold air intake and a catch can, where does it end? What about the guy who only has intake and shorty headers but no tune? What about the guy who has only this or only that? Where do they draw the line? GM drew the line at NO modifications, and that is ok with me.

Now again before ya’ll rush off to sell your cars or burn them down or picket GM, please understand something else. I did not take what I was told by GM to be if you have fuzzy dice on your mirror your warranty is done or if you have different tires, or used none GM fluids. I took it to mean that if you added modifications to the vehicle. If you added something that was not originally there or significantly altered your vehicle with none OE equivalent parts then you were voiding you warranty. I took it as so long as the parts used were OE or OE equivalent replacements you would be ok, and that makes sense to me, and I agree with it.

Could I continue to fight this and take it all to court? Sure. However I don’t have the money, time, or energy to go to court over this. I need my car up and running, and can afford to do so, so I will be fixing my car myself. I greatly appreciate everyone who donated money to the GO FUND ME (you should be getting a refund) but I don’t want to fight this in court.

On a positive note, now that my warranty is done, I am free to mod to my hearts (or atleast my wallet’s) content. Again THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me in this, I cannot express how helpful all of this was for me. And please don’t let this shake your faith in GM, they are a company that got put in an awkward situation and had a choice to make, and made the one that protected them, and I do not blame them at all. GM still makes a great product, and I will probably continue to be a customer in the future.

[BlueStreakHouTX]

Originally Posted by Superman09

I have heard a final resolution from GM.
However, first I want to say a huge thank you to everyone in here, I was simply hoping to air my story and see what happened. I never dreamed it would turn into what it did. The idea of a petition never crossed my mind, and I am very grateful for Mr Stacy and the things he did for me in this. I am grateful for everyone who signed the petition, and those that didn’t sign, but offered words of encouragement or advice, and the ones who sent me PM’s to encourage me. As anyone can imagine this whole situation felt like a kick in the nuts, and everyone here has really helped me pull through it.

GM’s final verdict is that my entire powertrain warranty will remain blocked, and they will not fix my car. The catch can may or may not have been the causes of the failure, but according to the owner’s manual any modification can void your warranty. I knew going in to this, like everyone, else that what I was doing could void the warranty, but I listened to the stories online of “I have X, Y, and Z mods and I got warrantied”. I took a calculated risk that adding the catch can would not void my warranty, and I was wrong.

Now before everyone goes and blames GM on this please understand something. I also greatly believe that your relationship with your dealer, as well as the knowledge of the dealer plays a HUGE part in what does and/or doesn’t get covered. Like several have mentioned I had my car taken to a GMC Cadillac dealer who may not have had much experience with the Camaro and the LS3. That lack of experience and knowledge about the car may have led them to believe my car was more modified than it was. Your experience may vary at your dealership. Your dealer may have more knowledge, and may know you better, and may cover your car with a catch can and a cold air intake. However GM’s stance is that modifications void your warranty, and I understand and agree with that.

GM will not be fixing my car, and I understand and agree with them on why they won’t. If they fix mine because I only have a cold air intake and a catch can, where does it end? What about the guy who only has intake and shorty headers but no tune? What about the guy who has only this or only that? Where do they draw the line? GM drew the line at NO modifications, and that is ok with me.

Now again before ya’ll rush off to sell your cars or burn them down or picket GM, please understand something else. I did not take what I was told by GM to be if you have fuzzy dice on your mirror your warranty is done or if you have different tires, or used none GM fluids. I took it to mean that if you added modifications to the vehicle. If you added something that was not originally there or significantly altered your vehicle with none OE equivalent parts then you were voiding you warranty. I took it as so long as the parts used were OE or OE equivalent replacements you would be ok, and that makes sense to me, and I agree with it.

Could I continue to fight this and take it all to court? Sure. However I don’t have the money, time, or energy to go to court over this. I need my car up and running, and can afford to do so, so I will be fixing my car myself. I greatly appreciate everyone who donated money to the GO FUND ME (you should be getting a refund) but I don’t want to fight this in court.

On a positive note, now that my warranty is done, I am free to mod to my hearts (or atleast my wallet’s) content. Again THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me in this, I cannot express how helpful all of this was for me. And please don’t let this shake your faith in GM, they are a company that got put in an awkward situation and had a choice to make, and made the one that protected them, and I do not blame them at all. GM still makes a great product, and I will probably continue to be a customer in the future.

You sir, are a class act... thank you for sharing all this with us, and I understand... I hate that youre having to go thru this, (and I know I couldn't be as understanding as you are if it would have happened to ME), but good luck with this!!!!!!

[Welker2]

Thank you for the update. Sorry they will not be honoring your warranty, but your experience has educated and may help others. Good luck with your repairs and hopefully you be back on the road again shortly.

[DILLIGAF]

I've been in your shoes and agree. It sucks but it's what we have to deal with when nodding our cars. In my case it was a downpipe and a tune (on a Cadillac ats). Good luck with the new build.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[BlueStreakHouTX]

GM has spoken, we have heard. loud and clear I'll post pictures of my new GT 350 when it arrives instead of the new 2017 ZL1 I was planning on buying.

[qcman]

Magnuson Moss be damned! If I was a forum sponsor I would be worried about this...

[DILLIGAF]

Originally Posted by BlueStreakHouTX

GM has spoken, we have heard. loud and clear I'll post pictures of my new GT 350 when it arrives instead of the new 2017 ZL1 I was planning on buying.

You don't think ford would do the same thing to a modded gt350?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Chevy Fanatic]

Originally Posted by BlueStreakHouTX

GM has spoken, we have heard. loud and clear I'll post pictures of my new GT 350 when it arrives

I agree with this. As I mentioned in an earlier post I have purchased 12 new GM vehicles over the last 20 years. I currently own a 2012 Cadillac CTS, a 2011 Camaro SS, and a 2015 Impala LTZ, all fully optioned cars. I have made my last GM purchase. I will not sit back and watch this nonsense unfold that blames a oil pump failure on a unrelated component. GM will not ever see another dime from me because of this.

[motorhead]

Im sorry, but you are getting railed. Where is the proof that the catch can caused the pump failure? If GM would show that proof then I'm sure most of us would be satisfied with their decision to block your warranty. Blocking the entire powertrain is nuts too. So a catch can can now cause a rearend failure or transmission failure? Like I said in my last post "F" them. I'm done giving them money. They don't give a rat's winky about the folks that buy their junk. So why would anyone support them. Hell, read the 6th gen fourm. It's riddled with people with paint issues that have to fight tooth and nail to be made whole. There wasn't any mods on their cars. Keep upping your prices, lower your quality and say "F" the customer when they have an issue ,and you'll be back crying to congress to get you butts bailed out again. My only hope is that they say no this time.

Sorry to everyone, but I'm just sick of large companies taking advantage of people. They sell products based on quality and great warranties and then hide behind all the find print in that worthless piece of paper when a problem comes up.

Its not just GM. Its many large companies.

[BlueStreakHouTX]

Originally Posted by DILLIGAF

You don't think ford would do the same thing to a modded gt350?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

I'm so glad you asked... probably, depending upon the mods.... but as far as I know, I dont have to worry about when the Ford engine is going to hand grenade due to a known issue with a defective oil pump?

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by Chevy Fanatic

Is anyone else as confused as I am on the outcome of this issue? I have read a couple posts by those heavily involved in this and it appears they are saying GM is correct in their position of no warranty for the oil pump failure, its over and the OP has a paperweight in his driveway?

Taken straight off of the FTC website "The FTC says the manufacturer or dealer must show that the aftermarket or recycled part caused the need for repairs before denying warranty coverage"

In this case was the OP shown the connection to a known oil pump failure / problem and how his catch can directly contributed to the failure? What am I missing here?

Your interpretation is not correct. The FTC is talking about OE replacement parts, and NOT modifications. You modify your car, and you are on your own if anything breaks. When it comes to laws, there is more than just the words, there is also the intent.

[maddoggyusa]

OP that's ok... I understand your position. But I'd be really PO'd the dealership did more harm to your car driving it. Sounded like all it needed was an oil pump... and now who knows??? Anything beyond an oil pump I'd say is that dealer's fault.

[PDXSSCE]

Originally Posted by qcman

Magnuson Moss be damned! If I was a forum sponsor I would be worried about this...

Sales of catch-cans are sure to take a hit now that it's a proven fact that GM can & will void a whole powertrain warranty due to one being installed.

Originally Posted by motorhead

Im sorry, but you are getting railed. Where is the proof that the catch can caused the pump failure? If GM would show that proof then I'm sure most of us would be satisfied with their decision to block your warranty. Blocking the entire powertrain is nuts too. So a catch can can now cause a rearend failure or transmission failure? Like I said in my last post "F" them. I'm done giving them money. They don't give a rat's winky about the folks that buy their junk. So why would anyone support them. Hell, read the 6th gen fourm. It's riddled with people with paint issues that have to fight tooth and nail to be made whole. There wasn't any mods on their cars. Keep upping your prices, lower your quality and say "F" the customer when they have an issue ,and you'll be back crying to congress to get you butts bailed out again. My only hope is that they say no this time.

I know this won't be popular, but I'm more disappointed in the OP than GM. If GM's warranty position was so easily accepted, to the extent of coming to their defense, then it was pointless to post the issue in the forum.
Seeing that they've won, GM will be more emboldened to deny warranties for frivolous reasons.